This paper relates the experience of the NASA Scientific and Technical Information Program in introducing multimedia within the STI Program framework. A discussion of multimedia technology is included to provide context for the STI Program effort. The STI Program's Multimedia Initiative is discussed in detail, Parallels and differences between multimedia and traditional information systems project development are highlighted. Challenges faced by the program in initiating its multimedia project are summarized along with lessons learned. The paper concludes with a synopsis of the benefits the program hopes to provide its users through the introduction of multimedia illustrated by examples of successful multimedia projects. There is no shortage of commentary on how multimedia will revolutionize our existence. The potential impact of multimedia has been compared individually to that of the personal computer, the television and the printing press. IBM has called multimedia a revolution in communications that combines the audiovisual power of television, the publishing power of the printing press and the interactive power of the computer. Intel has called multimedia the marriage of the personal computer and the television that will result in a system that is as realistically visual and easy to use as TV, with all the responsiveness and processing capability of today's most powerful desktop computers. Intel goes on to say that multimedia represents a new communications medium that will dramatically affect how we process and use information, and multimedia also represents a major business oppoflunity for those prepared to embrace the technology and deliver it into the hands of the users.

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